BATU PAHAT: A 47-year-old woman died after she was stabbed with a sharp object during a snatch theft in Jalan Sutera 7, Taman Sutera in Yong Peng here early this morning.

Batu Pahat police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Wahib Musa said the victim, identified as Tan Chi Ann, was initially found alive by members of the public at 1.25 am and was sent to the Pantai Hospital but was pronounced dead at about 3am.

He said the victim is believed to have been defending herself from a snatch theft attempt when the suspects, believed to be more than two of them, began to act aggressively. They stabbed the victim before making their escape on motorcycles.

"The victim, a cook, was on her way home to Ang Lok Yuan near Yong Peng when the incident happened. She fell about 50 metres from where her motorcycle crashed. We also found the strap of the victim's handbag at the scene," said Wahib.

He was speaking to the media after launching Ops Selamat 12/2018 at the district police headquarters here.

Wahib said the victim's body was taken to the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital for post- mortem.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code and asked witnesses to come forward with information by contacting 019-2805037 or 07-4363300.